Father tells of heartbreak at Amama’s death

THE little girl killed in an alleged hit and run accident may have wandered out of her house into the street.

PLEA for witnesses to come forward... Amama’s father Tahir Ali Shah is urging anyone who can help to contact police.

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THE little girl killed in an alleged hit and run accident may have wandered out of her house into the street.

Two-year-old Amama Batool died after being struck by a vehicle at the junction of Cook Street and Mayfield Street - only yards from her home - shortly before 2pm on Thursday.

Her devastated mother, 24-year-old Syeda Maqddas, was upstairs in their Cook Street house at the time of the tragedy, unaware the little girl was outside.

Tearful father Tahir Ali Shah, aged 29, said: "She was putting a nappy on a little baby and she had left Amama downstairs.

"She thought she was in a downstairs room playing but then, one or two minutes later, someone came and told her that she had been knocked down.

"We do not know why she was there or how she got there.

"My wife is so upset, she has not been able to talk since it happened. We are all very upset."

As the police launched an appeal for information Mr Ali Shah, who was in London visiting friends when his wife told him of the tragedy by phone, made his own desperate plea, saying: "If there are any witnesses or anybody who knows what has happened, please, please go and tell the police.

"If anybody knows anything at all I would ask them to tell the police.

"The police say they have some witnesses, but anyone who may have seen or heard anything should help them find out what has happened."

Amama had a four-year-old brother and 10-month-old sister but is believed to have been on her own when she was knocked down.

She was found by a horrified relative and rushed to Rochdale Infirmary with serious head and body injuries, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The accident took place only 15 yards from the family home and the police accident boards could be seen from the doorstep.

Police believe a HGV was involved and shortly afterwards arrested a 49-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He has been bailed until October 12, pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to call Rochdale CID on 0161 856 4644 or the free Crimestoppers number confidentially on 0800 555 111.